Mark 14:72
What does Mark 14:72 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 14:72 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 14:72 means
Immediately the cock crows a second time. Peter remembers Jesus’ word—“Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice”—and he breaks down in tears. The precise fulfillment convicts him deeply. Memory becomes the doorway to repentance. Peter’s weeping is not despair but the beginning of restoration that will come when the risen Jesus seeks him. The Lord knew Peter’s weakness and predicted it, yet did not cast him off. This closing note leaves us with two pictures: Jesus faithful unto trial, and Peter broken yet reachable by grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in the same minute, the cock gave a second cry. And it came to Peter's mind how Jesus had said to him, Before the cock's second cry, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me. And at this thought he was overcome with weeping.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and a second time a cock crew, and Peter remembered the saying that Jesus said to him--`Before a cock crow twice, thou mayest deny me thrice;' and having thought thereon--he was weeping.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me. And he began to weep,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the second time a cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to him, Before [the] cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice; and when he thought thereon he wept.
Context
With the second cockcrow, Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled to the letter, closing the courtyard drama. Peter’s remembrance and tears answer his earlier boasts and Jesus’ warnings. The chapter ends here, leaving Jesus in custody after a sham trial and awaiting further proceedings, and Peter in sorrow. The next chapter will move to the Roman phase, but Mark 14 has prepared us: the path to the cross is marked by betrayal, abandonment, steadfast confession by Jesus, and the failure of friends who will be restored by His victory.
v.71But he began to curse, and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
v.72This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 24:10
And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto Jehovah, I have sinned greatly in that which I have done: but now, O Jehovah, put away, I beseech thee, the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
- Mark 14:68
But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
- Matthew 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
- Psalms 119:59
I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
- Luke 15:17
But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
- Ezekiel 7:16
But those of them that escape shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, every one in his iniquity.
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